Jay Sean Interview- Freeze Time

Jay Sean arrives at Universal Studios promptly on time. While I continue to finish setting up, he flips through a magazine waiting patiently for me. He is wearing a blue button down, long sleeved shirt with the sleeves tidily rolled up to his elbows. His shirt opened just enough to expose the wife beater he’s wearing underneath, paired with neat, dark jeans.

At 29 years old, his boyish good looks can’t be denied. He’s confident yet shy, smooth yet humble. Jay Sean is all smiles, with an endearing, and contagious enthusiasm. And how can he not be with his fourth album, Freeze Time, being released November 2nd. Jay Sean reveals tidbits about his new album, crazy fan incidents, and his perfect date.

Asiance Magazine: Tell us about your new album Freeze Time that’s being released this November.

Jay Sean: It’s good. We wrapped my studio time and I love the studio time. I love being in the studio. So in a way I kind of miss it because now starts the promo but there are fun elements to that side too. So this is the next cycle of the phase.

AM: Why did you choose the name Freeze Time for your new album?

JS: The last year in particular has been crazy. It’s been mad. There are so many wonderful moments I had, which I just wish for a second that I could stop time and take them all in. I thought about how blessed I was to be doing this for a living and how blessed I was that every day is so wonderful and different. With that mind set, I made this album. I made this album with appreciation in mind and write about positive things, things about life that mean a lot to me.

Jay Sean Ft Nicki Minaj- 2012 – Great song! Another hit!

AM: How is this new album different from your previous one?

JS: This album is a little bit more grown and sexy. You’ve got to move it on. This will be my fourth album. You grow and mature, not only as a person but as a singer, as a song writer. Some of the elements, some of the topics that I wanted to talk about, is just a little spicier, just a little sexier.

AM: Can we expect any Indian influences incorporated into your music in the future?

JS: Maybe in the future. When I do music I don’t do it with a purpose in mind. I just feel like it’s a little bit contrived if you try to do something like that. It’s got to come organically. Tomorrow one of the producers might make a dope beat which has some Indian elements in it. If it comes up and it sounds awesome then that’s great!

Jay Sean’s latest album 2012 – coming out November 2nd

AM: You’ve worked with some amazing artists in the past- Sean Paul, Lil’ Wayne, Lil’ John. Is there anyone you want to work with in the future?

JS: I’d love to work with Jay-Z, Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, Ne-Yo, Rihanna. I’m a fan of contemporary music.

AM: Can we expect any new artists featured on your album?

JS: There are some great features on the album but I’m going to keep it tight lipped. I want it to be a surprise.

AM: How did you get started in this business? How old were you when you started singing?

JS: I’ve been singing since I was a little kid. Professionally, I’ve been doing it for 8 years now. So 8 years ago is when I first got my record deal. Since then singing has been my profession.

AM: I hear your real name isn’t Jay Sean. What is your real name?

JS: My real name is [recites a very long Indian name that can’t be pronounced]

AM: That’s quite a mouthful!

JS: [Laughs] I’m joking! It’s Kamaljit Singh Jhooti.

AM: Is there a meaning behind it?

JS: It has something to do with strength and power, and feeding off the energy of the sun.

AM: When you’re on the road what are the most important things that you need to bring with you?

JS: There are a few things. There’s my iPad, my iPhone, my Blackberry. I’m a gadget freak. Also, my vitamins and my supplements. I make sure I got my work out gear with me. I always have to have one separate suitcase of just shoes.

AM: Of just shoes?

JS: Seriously. One separate suitcase of just different kicks.

AM: You must have a very large shoe collection.

JS: Ya, I do. That’s like my disease. That’s the one thing I need to have, that and sun glasses. I have a separate bag for that too. It’s so bad but you’ve got to be prepared.

AM: Any pre-performance rituals you do before you go on stage?

JS: Besides the vocal warm ups, me and my band have a secret hand shake that we do just to get us all pumped. It’s nice.

AM: Is it really long? Is it like a 5-minute hand shake?

JS: It’s actually a prayer but with an integrated hand shake. It’s just nice to get us all in the zone.

AM: Maybe sometime you can teach it to me!

JS: You’ve got to play an instrument. You can play the triangle!

AM: Have you had any crazy fan incidents?

JS: From flashing their boobies to me, to chucking their knickers onto the stage, to buying me outrageous gifts, to camping outside my room for the whole night sleeping on the corridor. Whatever it might be there’s madness.

AM: Well, you have really dedicated fans. You can’t blame them.

JS: I have the best fans. I know every artist says that but I really do. I love my fans for how much they know about me, how much they learn about me, and how much they really pay attention.

AM: What’s the most outlandish rumor you’ve ever heard about yourself?

JS: I heard that once I was one of a twin and that they sent me on separate bookings and one can be off in the Philippines doing a concert and the other one in England. That was one of the best. It couldn’t have been that maybe there was a double booking and he didn’t realize. No, no it’s because he’s a twin.

AM: That will make for a great story one day!

AM: How would you describe the perfect date?

JS: There’s no perfect. There’s no agenda which has to be fulfilled. I can have a perfect date right here in this room with just us two, good food, and a great laugh. And that for me might be the perfect evening spent with somebody. So really it’s about the company and how well you get along.

Download the single here! http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/2012-it-aint-end-feat-nicki/id384209575